Every month this Journal records prosecutions arising out of the finding of glass in bottles of milk delivered to schools and it would be easy to get the impression that this…
Abstract
Every month this Journal records prosecutions arising out of the finding of glass in bottles of milk delivered to schools and it would be easy to get the impression that this particular hazard to which school‐children are daily exposed was one of considerable magnitude, and even that among those responsible for the bottling of milk there was a great deal of carelessness and negligence. In the Appendix to his recently published report for the year ending March 31st, 1957, Mr. J. A. O'Keefe, Chief Officer of the Public Control Department of the County of Middlesex, puts this matter of glass in school milk more in its proper perspective, and records the results of a nine months survey of the known incidence of glass in school milk supplied in Middlesex. Apparently head‐masters of all schools receiving milk were asked to report every case brought to their notice, and during the period April to December, 1956, 104 instances were recorded. The total number of bottles distributed during this time ran to something over 36 millions. During the same period, some 1,639 bottles were also sampled by the County Inspectors, all being examined for glass but with negative results. It would seem, then, that certainly as far as Middlesex is concerned, and doubtless this is true of other districts, the chances of a child finding glass in his or her milk are really very small indeed.
Paul D. Hooper and Andrew Greenall
This paper aims to present the findings of an investigation into environmental reporting practice in the airline sector.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present the findings of an investigation into environmental reporting practice in the airline sector.
Design/methodology/approach
Evidence was gathered from an international survey of 272 IATA Airlines. Responses accounted 65 per cent of the world's scheduled passenger traffic. Reports were assessed against a framework developed by UK's Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants.
Findings
The paper demonstrates that, despite an increase in the availability of quantitative data and some consistency in the use of key performance indicators, comparing social and environmental performance across the airline sector is fraught with difficulties. Variations in the exact definitions of the indicators used and the suite of functions embraced by the term “airline” are identified as fundamental obstacles to effective sector benchmarking.
Practical implications
Insight into an understanding of some of the pros and cons of comparisons between airline environmental performance data.
Originality/value
The research highlights the limitations of inter airline comparisons regarding environmental data and confirms the need for environmental and social impacts to be reported in a more standardised manner in order to facilitate meaningful dialogue with stakeholders in communities adjacent to airports.
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John Byrom, Tony Hernández, David Bennison and Paul Hooper
Considers the potential that retail loyalty card schemes offer for a more informed understanding of consumer behaviour. With the widespread introduction of loyalty card schemes…
Abstract
Considers the potential that retail loyalty card schemes offer for a more informed understanding of consumer behaviour. With the widespread introduction of loyalty card schemes across the UK, Europe and North America, retailers now have the opportunity to link detailed shopping pattern information to the individual consumer. Data gathered from loyalty card transactions can be referenced to the address of the individual, and as such, can be considered to be a particular type of potential geographic information. Based on detailed semi‐structured interviews within five UK retail organisations that have implemented loyalty card schemes, the article shows the nature of data analysis and applications at present, with data being mostly utilised in direct marketing. It is argued that recognition of the geographic nature of loyalty card data is currently lacking amongst scheme operators, yet is vital if higher order functions are to be realised. To that end, the paper presents visual frameworks that position loyalty card data within the organisational hierarchy and highlight potential techniques and applications that can be achieved via loyalty card data analysis.
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Bita A. Kash, Kayla M. Cline, Stephen Timmons, Rahil Roopani and Thomas R. Miller
Health care institutions in many Western countries have developed preoperative testing and assessment guidelines to improve surgical outcomes and reduce cost of surgical care. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Health care institutions in many Western countries have developed preoperative testing and assessment guidelines to improve surgical outcomes and reduce cost of surgical care. The aims of this chapter are to (1) summarize the literature on the effect of preoperative testing on clinical outcomes, efficiency, and cost; and (2) to compare preoperative testing guidelines developed in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Design/methodology/approach
We reviewed the literature from 1975 to 2014 for studies and preoperative testing guidelines.
Findings
We identified 29 empirical studies and 8 country-specific guidelines for review. Most studies indicate that preoperative testing is overused and comes at a high cost. Guidelines are tied to payment only in one country studied. This is the most recent review of the literature on preoperative testing and assessment with a focus on quality of care, efficiency, and cost outcomes. In addition, this chapter provides an international comparison of preoperative guidelines.
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One of the features of modern air travel is the great care taken to ensure that passengers shall not starve en route for their destinations, be they near or distant, and we are…
Abstract
One of the features of modern air travel is the great care taken to ensure that passengers shall not starve en route for their destinations, be they near or distant, and we are not surprised to learn from the press that there has been some degree of competition between air‐line companies in this matter of feeding their patrons. It would appear that sandwiches in particular have lent themselves to the prevailing spirit of emulation, and all kinds of sumptuous confections have been appearing under this rather common name. Now, according to the Daily Telegraph, the International Air Transport Association has stepped in and suggested what is more or less a standard for sandwiches; They should be “cold, unadorned, self‐contained, and consisting largely of bread and roll ”. No mention is made of the respective proportions of bread and “ active ingredient ”, but possibly this will be forthcoming in due time. It might well be considered as reasonable to lay down the proportion of ham in a ham sandwich, as to fix a standard for meat in a meat pie or sausage roll.
Caroline Westwood, Peter Schofield and Graham Berridge
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the theory concerning visitor motivations, consumer experience and behavioural intentions at rural events; more specifically, it…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the theory concerning visitor motivations, consumer experience and behavioural intentions at rural events; more specifically, it focusses on agricultural shows, which have hitherto been neglected in the events management literature. These events have successfully broadened their visitor base, but not without the attendant challenges for agricultural events’ designers.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopts a quantitative design using a questionnaire survey. The analysis, using a range of statistical procedures, centres on consumer motivation, experience and behaviour in relation to show features and their influence on future behaviour.
Findings
The findings of this paper demonstrates the relative importance to the consumer of the show’s various components and their influence on revisitation, which reflect the significance of social, cultural and personal meanings attached to their experiences. This highlights key motivational variables such as appreciating the shows’ traditions and intellectual enrichment.
Research limitations/implications
The study takes a cross-sectional approach, using a non-probability sample at four multi-day royal shows. Future research should establish the external validity of the findings and their applicability to smaller one-day agricultural shows.
Practical implications
The research provides a managerial contribution by informing show designers about the motivations of an increasingly diverse range of visitors. This will facilitate decisions around the engagement of contemporary design while preserving the traditional elements of agricultural shows.
Originality/value
Few studies have looked at rural events and, in particular, agricultural shows. Moreover, previous research in this area has focussed on rural tourism and place making, while consumer behaviour and experience at rural events has been neglected. This paper provides an insight into the consumer experience and perceived importance of various aspects of contemporary agricultural shows.
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The development of marketing thinking has been stimulated by the pressures of competition. If growing competition for more mature and discriminating markets is a major trend for…
Abstract
The development of marketing thinking has been stimulated by the pressures of competition. If growing competition for more mature and discriminating markets is a major trend for the next decade, the pursuit of improved product quality and of excellence will be an essential management response. New product development is a vital part of marketing policy for all companies and organisations, as it represents one of the key means by which corporate renewal is achieved and a future secured. This article analyses new product development in the light of the new alcohol soft drink products, which presents a myriad of challenges and opportunities for beverage manufactures and the UK drinks market These drinks have been latched onto by brewers who were desperate to win over young people who had snubbed beer and cider; but their drive has backfired, with drinks such as Hoopers Hooch being condemned for their appeal towards the teenager. In view of this, the article will conclude by identifying the controversial implications these drinks will have for the future stability of the alcoholic soft drink market
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Abhijeet Biswas, Rishi Kant and Deepak Jaiswal
A significant increase in the number of private sector banks has intensified the level of competition in the Indian banking industry (IBI). This increase in the number of banks…
Abstract
Purpose
A significant increase in the number of private sector banks has intensified the level of competition in the Indian banking industry (IBI). This increase in the number of banks has a considerable impact on the existing players, which calls for prioritizing customer satisfaction (CS) and enhancing bank reputation (BR). Our study seeks to investigate the enablers of CS and BR in the IBI.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a cross-sectional design for gathering responses from retail bank customers across the selected banks through a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to evaluate direct and indirect linkages among the identified constructs by examining mediating and moderating effects.
Findings
The study puts forward crucial antecedents of CS and BR. The findings exhibit that perceived trust (PT) and relationship commitment (RC) magnify CS and BR, respectively, while CS amplifies repurchase intention (RI). The study advances that BR and CS partially mediate between the underlying constructs. In addition, fairness and risk exhibit moderating effects between CS and customer repurchase intention (CRI) and BR and CRI.
Research limitations/implications
The study illustrates the crucial enablers of BR, CS and CRI that may assist banking professionals in enriching customer experience and holding on to their customers.
Originality/value
There is a shortage of research on RC, service innovation (SI) and BR in the IBI. Accordingly, our study builds on the prior studies by considering these constructs using a comprehensive conceptual framework by extending the application of signaling theory (ST) in the banking domain and scrutinizing the dual moderating effects of fairness and risk.